Gamecock Soccer opens 2025 season with thrilling wins over Charleston and Ohio State

Gamecock Soccer Programs Open Season with Statement Wins

It was an opening week to remember for South Carolina soccer. Both the men's and women's teams secured thrilling victories, setting the tone for a promising 2025 campaign for both teams.

Men's Soccer: Road Win in Charleston

The Gamecocks men's soccer team earned a dramatic 3-2 win over the College of Charleston on Thursday night, their first road victory to open a season since 2007. South Carolina and CofC combined for five goals in the final 20 minutes of play, delivering a wild finish in front of the crowd at Patriots Point.

The Gamecocks outshot the Cougars 8 to 3, with Ethan Ballek leading the team in attempts (4). Defensively, Ted Cargill made a spectacular kick save in the 58th minute to keep the game scoreless. The breakthrough came in the 71st minute when Andrew Goldsworthy headed in his first career goal off a feed from Samy Kolby. After the Cougars tied it up, Mika Habel needed just 26 seconds to put the Gamecocks back in the lead. Alexander Stjernegaard added insurance in the 84th minute on a free kick, and South Carolina's defense held firm in the closing minutes of the game.

This victory marked the 10th time in program history that South Carolina opened its season on the road. The Gamecocks will now turn their attention to a Palmetto Series clash at Clemson on August 26.

Women's Soccer: Ranked Win at Home

Back in Columbia, the No. 16 South Carolina women's soccer team edged No. 25 Ohio State 1-0 at Stone Stadum, earning their second ranked win of the early season in front of an impressive 5,880 fans, the sixth-largest crowd in program history.

Freshman Mackenzie Johnson delivered the decisive goal less than two minutes into the second half of the game, with a cross from sophomore Madden McDonald. It was Johnson's second game-winning goal in three matches, while McDonald picked up her second consecutive assist. Goalkeeper Tina Tsaousis tied her season-high with four saves.

The Gamecocks women's team will stay home to host Miami, Ohio on Sunday August 24, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. on SECN+.